It is a maxim to me that no man was ever written out of
reputation but by himself.

It is a maxim to me that no man was ever written out of
reputation but by himself.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

My dear dear lord,
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation. That away,
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My dear dear lord,
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation. That away,
Man are but gilded loam or painted clay.

In various talk th' instructive hours they past,
Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;
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In various talk th' instructive hours they past,
Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;
One speaks the glory of the British queen,
And one describes a charming Indian screen;
A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes;
At every word a reputation dies.

The worst of me is known, and I can say that I am better than the
reputation I bear.
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The worst of me is known, and I can say that I am better than the
reputation I bear.
[Ger., Das Aergste weiss die Welt von mir, und ich
Kann sagen, ich bin besser als mein Ruf.]

To be pointed out with the finger.

To be pointed out with the finger.

Let no one honour me with tears, or bury me with lamentation.
Why? Because I fly hither and thither, read more

Let no one honour me with tears, or bury me with lamentation.
Why? Because I fly hither and thither, living in the mouths of
me.
[Lat., Nemo me lacrymis decoret, nec funera fletu.
Faxit cur? Volito vivu' per ora virum.]

A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.

A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd.

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.

Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never mended well.